Device for supplying glaze in rotary machines for decoration of ceramic tiles

ABSTRACT

On a mobile rest plane, the following operate: a matrix-bearing cylinder, rotatable about an axis thereof, and at least a doctor predisposed to operate contactingly with an external surface of the matrix-bearing cylinder. A supply of glaze is directed into a chamber delimited between the doctor and a portion of external cylindrical surface of the cylinder facing the doctor, at a position in which the doctor and the surface are in contact, via a flexible conduit terminating at a discharge end thereof which is positioned superiorly of the chamber and which is commanded to perform an alternating motion. The flexible conduit is supported by an articulated chain which is commanded to slide axially in two directions along a guide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Specifically, though not exclusively, the invention is usefullyapplied in rotary machines of the type in which a matrix-bearingcylinder, mobile in rotation about an axis thereof, operates on a mobilerest plane on which tiles are translated in a predetermined direction,with at least one doctor predisposed to operate in contact with theexternal surface of the cylinder. In the present embodiment thematrix-bearing cylinder is provided with at least oneelastically-deformable peripheral part limited by a smooth externalcylindrical surface made of an elastomer material on which a shape isrecessed, constituting the matrix.

[0002] In these machines, the supply of glaze is normally directed intoa chamber delimited between the doctor and the portion of externalcylindrical surface facing the doctor at the contact line there-between.

[0003] An important problem exhibited by this type of rotary machineconcerns making sure that the supply of fresh glaze is continuous anduniform along the whole length of the doctor.

[0004] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a simple andeffective solution to this problem.

[0005] An advantage of the invention is that it uses the same motorwhich commands the alternating oscillation motion of the doctor.

[0006] These aims and advantages and more besides are all attained bythe invention as it is characterized in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] On a mobile rest plane, the following operate: a matrix-bearingcylinder, rotatable about an axis thereof, and at least a doctorpredisposed to operate contactingly with an external surface of thematrix-bearing cylinder. A supply of glaze is directed into a chamberdelimited between the doctor and a portion of external cylindricalsurface of the cylinder facing the doctor, at a position in which thedoctor and the surface are in contact, via a flexible conduitterminating at a discharge end thereof which is positioned superiorly ofthe chamber and which is commanded to perform an alternating motion. Theflexible conduit is supported by an articulated chain which is commandedto slide axially in two directions along a guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Further characteristics and advantages of the present inventionwill better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of apreferred but non-limiting example of the invention, in a preferred butnon-exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic front view in vertical elevation;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic lateral view from the left of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 schematicallydenotes a vertically-developing frame of a rotary machine for decorationof ceramic tiles, of a type in which tiles are translated in apredetermined direction on a mobile rest plane 16, on which amatrix-bearing cylinder 3 operates, which cylinder 3 is rotatinglymobile about an axis thereof, with at least one doctor being predisposedto operate contactingly on the external surface of the matrix-bearingcylinder 3. The cylinder 3 is provided with at least oneelastically-deformable peripheral part delimited by a smooth externalcylindrical surface, made of an elastomer material and on which a shapehas been cut, or recessed; this is the matrix.

[0012] A slide 4 slides in a vertical direction on the frame 1, on whichslide 4 a doctor 5 is supported, together with organs which support thedoctor 5 and which command any operational motion of the doctor (5)(oscillating motion).

[0013] A guide 20 is solidly constrained on the slide 4, parallel to thedoctor 5, which guide 20 extends for at least the entire length of thedoctor 5 and which guide 20 is located above the part of doctor 5 whichcomes into contact with the external cylindrical surface of thematrix-bearing cylinder 3.

[0014] A flexible element is slidably coupled along the guide 20, whichflexible element supports at least one flexible conduit 22 for supply ofglaze.

[0015] The flexible element 22 ends at a discharge end 23 of the glazewhich remains positioned above the chamber 24 which is delimited andcomprised between the doctor 5 and the portion of external cylindricalsurface of the matrix-bearing cylinder 3 facing the doctor 5 at therelative contact zone thereof.

[0016] The flexible element 22 is partially wound about and solidlycoupled in rotation on a drive wheel 25 activated to rotate in twodirections. In particular, the flexible element is constituted by anarticulated chain 21 predisposed to mesh with a cogging provided on theperiphery of the drive wheel 25. The drive wheel is driven, via a belttransmission, not shown in the figures of the drawings, by a step motorwhich is supported, together with the doctor 5, on the slide 4. The stepmotor also produces the oscillating motion of the doctor 5.

[0017] The alternating rotating motion of the drive wheel 25 istransformed into the alternating straight motion of the chain 21 andconsequently of the discharge end 23 of the glaze in the flexibleconduit 22.

[0018] There is thus a continuous supply of fresh glaze, uniform alongthe whole length of the doctor 5. This is a considerable improvement onthe prior art in terms of remixing of glaze and making the glaze uniformalong the whole length of the matrix and the underlying tile to bedecorated.

What is claimed: 1). A device for supplying glaze in rotary machines fordecoration of ceramic tiles, of a type where, on a mobile rest plane onwhich the tiles are translated in a predetermined direction, thefollowing operate: a matrix-bearing cylinder, mobile in rotation aboutan axis thereof, which matrix-bearing cylinder is provided with at leastan elastically-deformable peripheral part having a smooth externalcylindrical surface made of an elastomer material, on which smoothexternal cylindrical surface a shape is cut and recessed, which shape isa matrix; at least a doctor predisposed for operating in contact withthe external surface of the matrix-bearing cylinder; a supply of glazebeing contained in a chamber delimited between the at least a doctor anda portion of the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder facing thedoctor in a relative zone of contact there-between; wherein itcomprises: a guide which is parallel to the doctor, which guide extendsfor at least an entire length of the at least a doctor and which guideis located superiorly to a part of the at least a doctor which part isdestined to come into contact with the external cylindrical surface ofthe matrix-bearing cylinder; a flexible element which is destined toslide along the guide and to support at least a flexible conduit forsupply of glaze, which flexible conduit terminates in a discharge endwhich is located superiorly to the chamber; the flexible element beingpartially wound about and partially coupled in rotation on a drive wheelwhich can rotate in two directions. 2). The device of claim 1, whereinthe flexible element is an articulated chain which is predisposed tomesh with a cogging exhibited peripherally on the drive wheel. 3). Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the drive wheel is powered by a step motorwhich is supported, together with the at least a doctor, to a slidewhich is constrained to a frame, which slide can slide in a verticaldirection with respect to the frame.